FWCS, teachers reach two-year agreement

Fort Wayne Community Schools and the Fort Wayne Education Association have agreed on a two-year contract that continues the district's reform agenda and provides a 1 percent raise for 2011-12.
A tentative agreement was reached Wednesday, June 22, with the assistance of a mediator from the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board. Teachers ratified the agreement at a meeting on Monday, June 27, and the FWCS Board of School Trustees approved the agreement the same day.
The new contract covers primarily wages and wage-related benefits. Teachers will receive a 1 percent raise in 2011-12 and a one-time stipend of .25 percent in 2012-13. There will be no automatic step increases over the next two years.
"I am pleased we were able to reach an agreement that continues our reform agenda and builds on the gains we have made," Superintendent Dr. Wendy Robinson said. "While it wasn't easy to reach this point, both sides always had the same goal of making sure all students are educated to high standards by putting the best teachers in front of them."

With nearly 30,000 students, Fort Wayne Community Schools is one of the largest school districts in Indiana. FWCS proudly allows families to choose any of its 50 schools through its successful school-choice program creating diversity in each school, including some with more than 75 languages spoken. FWCS offers seven magnet schools focusing on areas such as science and math, communication, fine arts or Montessori at the elementary and middle school level. In high school, students can choose from the prestigious International Baccalaureate program, Project Lead the Way or New Tech Academy as well as other rigorous academic and specialty training programs.